Family Echo – Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of common questions from users of Family Echo. You can also read About Family Echo, some Genealogy Resources, the Terms of Use Agreement or the Privacy and Download Policies.

If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please ask here.

Printing and Display

Q: How do I print the tree?

Use the options below the tree to set up the printout, then click 'Print' below the tree. Follow the instructions that appear in the sidebar to create a PDF file spanning one or more pages.

Q: Why can't I see/print everyone on the tree?

It is often not possible to show the entire family tree at once, without confusing crossing lines. To show the most people possible, click on one of the oldest ancestors and set the 'Children' menu to its maximum.

Q: How do I show middle names?

Middle names should be entered after the person's first name, with a space between. By default middle names are not shown on the tree, but this can be changed by checking 'Middle names' after clicking 'Show options' under the tree.

Q: How do I change a person's photo?

First click the person on the family tree, then click their photo in the sidebar. Use the form which appears to upload a replacement photo, or click 'Remove' to remove the photo completely.

Relationships

Q: How do I represent adoption or fostering?

To set the type of a person's existing parents, click 'More actions...' then 'Set parents' and set the type. You can also add a second or third set of parents by clicking 'Add second/third parents'.

Q: How do I create a marriage between two related people?

Select the first person in the partnership, then click 'Add partner/ex' followed by 'Partner with person already on tree'. Choose the second partner from the list then click the appropriate button.

Q: How do I turn two people into brothers or sisters?

Sibling relationships are defined by people having parents in common. After setting up the parents for one person, select the other person on the tree, and click 'More actions...' then 'Set parents' and choose the parents from the list.

Q: How do I change the order of brothers and sisters?

Add the birth date (or just the year) of each sibling, and they will be reordered according to age. If you don't know the birth years for a person, click 'More actions...' then 'Change birth order' and click to move them as appropriate.

Limits

Q: Is there a limit on the number of people in a family?

There is no hard limit, but you may find that the user interface starts to get slower after a few 10,000s of people.

Q: Can I have more than one family in my account?

Yes! Click the 'My Account' button at the top of the page and then 'Create or import new family'. There is no limit on the number of families per account.

Q: How do I make a copy of a family tree?

Click 'Download' below the tree and download it in FamilyScript format. Then click the 'My Account' button at the top of the page, then 'Create or import new family'. Then click 'Import GEDCOM or FamilyScript' in the bottom left and proceed to upload the file previously downloaded. Note that photos will not be copied across.

Q: Why can't I add more distant relatives?

There is a limit on which relatives can be included in a tree, based on their distance from the tree's founder. This limit helps ensure privacy for family members, and prevents the tree from growing indefinitely. If you reach the limit, click the 'Create new family' button to start a new family branch from the selected person.

Terms of Use

Q: Can other users of Family Echo see my information?

Your family tree is only shared with people who have explicitly been given or sent a share link. Apart from that, we do not allow other users to read information from your tree.

Q: Do you sell or share my information with third parties?

No, we do not – see our data policies for more information. Family Echo is supported by advertising.

Q: What happens if Family Echo disappears?

Family Echo has been running since 2007 and has no plans to disappear! Still, it's a good idea to regularly back up the family information you've entered. Click 'Download' below the tree, choose the 'Read-only HTML' format, and store the downloaded file somewhere safe. This HTML file can be opened in any web browser to view your tree. It also contains your information in computer-readable formats such as GEDCOM and FamilyScript (links in footer).

Q: How much does this cost?

Family Echo is a free service, supported by advertising.